Sheet lifter for looseleaf ring binder



Feb. 3, 1970 W ORTH ET AL SHEET METER FOR LoosELEAF RING BINDER 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 29, 1967 Lm 6 Z H. w. oRTH ET Al. 3,493,310

SHEET LIFTER FOR LOOSELEAF RING BINDER Feb. 3, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Dec. 29, 196'? l 224 lo i@ m\\\\\\\\\ 35%. 3&3.

Z1 6 ZZ 9 Ill WWMMWNMMUMM United States Patent O 3,493,310 SHEET LIFTERFOR LOOSELEAF RING BINDER Henry YV. Orth, Milwaukee, and .lohn R. Byrne,Watertown, Wis., assignors to Stationers Loose Leaf Company, Milwaukee,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 694,540Int. Cl. B421? 13/14 U.S. Cl. 402--24 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A one-piece sheet lifter that can be molded of polyethyleneor the like has integral wing portions, arms and pocket portions, thepocket portions being formed to receive rigid tongues that projectupwardly from the ring carrier of a binder, and the arms projectingupwardly from inner longitudinal edges of the wings and being connectedto the pocket portions by thin, integral hinge portions. Integral ribsstiften and reinforce the junctions of arms and wings.

This invention relates to looseleaf ring binders and more particularlyto sheet lifters (sometimes called leaf flippers) for such ring binders.

A looseleaf ring binder comprises a spine from which a plurality ofrings project upwardly to hold a sheaf of appropriately punchedlooseleaf sheets, and a pair of cover members that are hingedlyconnected with the spine along opposite longitudinal edges thereof. Inthe absence of a sheet lifter, closure of the cover members causes thesheets to be pinched against the rings by one or both cover members,with the result that portions of the sheets adjacent to each ring holeare subjected to severe frictional Wear. A sheet lifter or leaf flipperserves to pick up the sheaf of looseleaf sheets during the initialclosing motion of the cover, and in effect carries the sheets around therings ahead of the swinging cover so that they cannot be pinched betweenthe cover and the rings and thereby damaged.

Sheet lifters heretofore available have been heavy and rather clumsy,with a number of relatively sharp edges and corners, so that they havesubstantially increased the weight of ring binders in which they wereinstalled and presented an unattractive appearance. Moreover, thosesheet lifters that were functionally satisfactory comprised numerous andrather intricate parts that could be manufactured and assembled onlywith the expenditure of substantial time and labor, and they weretherefore relatively expensive. Many of the parts of such prior sheetlifters were made of metal, and, aside from being expensive, such metalparts were subject to rust or corrosion and had sharp corners and edgesthat were obviously objectionable.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a sheet lifteror leaf flipper for a looseleaf ring binder that is very light inweight, attractive in appearance and inexpensive to manufacture.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a light weightand esthetically satisfactory sheet lifter f the character describedwhich can be molded in one piece from a tough, resiliently exibleplastic such as polyethylene, and which will be no less durable andrugged than prior sheet lifters having metal parts but will have n0sharp corners or edges, will not be subject to rusting or corrosion, andwill be substantially less expensive.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide a veryinexpensive sheet lifter of the character described that works verysmoothly and quietly and produces none of the clattering and rattlingthat was characteristic of prior sheet lifters.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sheet lifter ofthe character described wherein the portions thereof that come incontact with the sheets and the inner faces of the covers of the binderare not only smooth and free of sharp corners, but in addition areinherently sleek or slippery so that they slide across the inner facesof the covers without in anywise defacing them as the binder is closedand opened.

With these observations and objects in mind, the manner in which theinvention achieves its purpose will be appreciated from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings. This disclosure is intendedmerely to exemplify the invention. The invention is not limited to theparticular structure disclosed, and changes can be made therein whichlie within the scope of the appended claims without departing from theinvention.

The drawings illustrate one complete example of the physical embodimentof the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devisedfor the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a disassembled fragmentary perspective view of a looseleafbinder and a sheet lifter therefor that embodies the principles of thisinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the binder and sheet lifter inassembled relationship, the binder being shown in open condition;

FIGURE 3 is a view generally similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the binderwith its covers closed;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line4 4 in FIGURE 3, but with the looseleaf sheets removed from the binder;and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view on an enlarged scale,through one of the pocket portions of the sheet lifter.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 5 designatesgenerally a sheet lifter embodying the principles of this invention, forinstallation in a ring binder 6 of a more or less conventional type. Thering binder has an elongated spine 7 from which segmented rings 8project and has covers 9 that are hingedly connected with the spinealong opposite longitudinal edges thereof.

The rings 8 are mounted at lengthwise spaced intervals along a carrier10 which overlies the inner face of the spine and which includes wellknown mechanism (not shown) by which the ring segments are carried foropening and closing motion to permit looseleaf sheets 11 t3 be insertedinto the binder and removed therefrom. The sheets 0f course have holesnear one edge thereof in which the rings are engaged.

In general, the sheet lifter 5 of this invention is formed in one piecefrom a tough, resiliently flexible plastic material such aspolyethylene, and comprises a pair of opposite plate-like wings 14, apair of arms 15 projecting upwardly from each wing and integraltherewith, and a pair of pocket portions 16, each having an integralhinged connection 18 with an arm 1S on each wing.

-Each of the wings 14 is generally rectangular in outline and is adaptedto flatwise overlie an inner surface of a cover 9. The length of eachwing is about equal to that of the carrier 10 on the spine, and itswidth is substantially less than that 0f the cover it overlies.

The inner longitudinal edge of each wing is interrupted by lateral slots20 in which the rings of the binder are receivable, while an integralrounded rib 21 extends along substantially the entire length of theouter longitudinal edge of the wing, at the underside thereof. Besidesstiftening and reinforcing the wings7 these ribs minimize slidingfriction between the wings, since they are the only portions of thewings that engage the covers. In this connetion, it should also be notedthat inasmuch as the entire lifter is formed of polyethylene, or asimilar suitable plastic, the surfaces of the ribs 21 are inherentlysleek and slippery. Accordingly, no amount of use will cause the innerfaces of the covers to become scratched or other- Wise defaced, as wasso often the case in the past.

Additional integral stiffening ribs 22 can also be formed on the lowersurface of each wing, extending parallel to its longitudinal edges, butas shown in FIGURE 3, there is small likelihood that these additionalribs will contact the covers.

The arms on each wing, which project upwardly from its innerlongitudinal edge, are located near the ends of the wing. Each arm canbe generally rectangular but preferably tapers upwardly to some extentfor the sake of good appearance. The arm has a downwardly opening slot24 that is continuous with an adjacent slot 20 in the wing from whichthe arm projects. The surfaces of each arm are nearly perpendicular tothose of its wing, but preferably the included angle between the arm andthe Wing is slightly obtuse.

To reinforce each arm and its junction with its wing, and to lix theangle between the arm and the wing, integral stiifening ribs 26 extendacross the underside of the wing and continue around the junction and upthe arm, and other integral ribs 28 extend downwardly along the oppositesurface of the arm, and terminate at the upper surface of the wing. Theribs that extend along both surfaces of each arm increase in depthtoward its junction With the wing, to assure that the arm will remain inthe proper upright relation to the Wing despite the ilexible nature ofthe material.

Each of the pocket portions 16 is connected by the integral hinge means18 with an arm on each of the two wings, and is adapted to receive aflat, generally rectangular tongue 19 with which it cooperates to holdthe sheet lifter in place in the binder. The two tongues projectupwardly from the ring carrier 10 within the embrace of the rings 8nearest the ends thereof.

AS viewed from the side (see FIGURE 4) each pocket portion 16 isrectangular, its width being equal to the width of the tops of the arms1S that are connected to it. The pocket 30 of each of said pocketportions is defined by a pair of side walls 32 that are connected alongtheir upper edges, as at 33, and along their ends, as at 34. The mouthsof the pockets thus open downwardly to receive the tongues 19, andpreferably the side walls 32 are convexly curved so that they cooperateto snugly grip the tongues as the lifter is assembled with the binder.

The hinged connections 18 Vbetween each pocket portion 16 and the twoarms 15 that ank it comprise reduced thickness portions of the plasticmaterial, integral with the arms and with the side walls of the pocketportion, each extending across the outer surface of the side wallintermediate the top and bottom edges thereof. Because of theiiexibility of the plastic material of which the sheet lifter is formed,these hinge portions permit the arms to swing freely relative to thepocket portions.

Installation of the sheet lifter of this invention is readilyaccomplished by opening the rings of the binder in which it is to beused and moving the sheet lifter straight down with the rings receivedin its slots until the tongues 19 on the binder are fully received inthe pocket portions of the sheet lifter.

From the foregoing description taken with the accompanying drawings, itwill be readily apparent that this invention provides a very simple andinexpensive but durable sheet lifter for a looseleaf ring binder whichis lighter in weight and much more attractive in appearance than sheetlifters heretofore available, which has no metal parts that might rust,corrode or offer sharp edges or corners to cause injury to persons orproperty, and which has no tendency to clatter or rattle.

What is claimed as our invention is:

1. In a looseleaf binder having a spine on which there are rings forholding a plurality of looseleaf sheets and having covers hingedlyconnected with the spine, a unitary sheet lifter of resiliently exibleplastic material, for preventing binding ybetween the rings andlooseleaf sheets thereon as the covers are swung to a closed position,said sheet lifter comprising:

(A) a pair of upright pocket portions, each defining a pocket with adownwardly opening mouth to receive a substantially rigid tongue thatprojects upwardly from the spine;

(B) a pair of elongated plate-like wings, each having an outerlongitudinal edge and an inner longitudinal edge that is interrupted bylaterally opening slots in which the rings of the binder are receivable;

(C) a pair of arms integral with each of said wings, projecting upwardlyfrom the wing at its inner edge near opposite ends thereof, each armhaving a downwardly opening slot therein that is continuous with a slotin the wing;

(D) ri-b means integral with each arm and the wing from which itprojects, extending across the junction of the arm and the wing toprevent the arm from being deformed out of an upright position relativeto the wing; and

(E) a pair of thin hinge portions on each pocket portion, at oppositesides thereof,

said hinge portions connecting the pocket portion with an arm on eachwing and each hinge portion being integral with its pocket portion andwith the upper end portion of an arm,

each wing being thus connected by its arms to the pocket portions foratwise swinging motion relative to the pocket portions.

2. The leaf lifter of claim 1, further characterized by:

said rib means extending substantially entirely across one face of thewing to stiffen the same transversely, and

a rib integral with each wing extending along the outer longitudinaledge thereof to stiften the wing longitudinally.

3. The leaf lifter of claim 2, further characterized in that said ribswhich extend along the outer longitudinal edges of the wings have smoothrounded surfaces that project above the outer face of the wings tominimize sliding Contact between the wings and the binder covers.

4. The leaf lifter of claim 1, further characterized in that the pocketsdefined by said pocket portions have convexly curved sidewalls tocooperate in gripping under yielding bias the rigid tongue receivedbetween them.

5. In a looseleaf binder having a spine on which there are rings forholding a plurality of looseleaf sheets and having covers hingedlyconnected with the spine, a unitary sheet lifter of resiliently flexibleplastic material, for preventing binding between the rings and looseleafsheets thereon as the covers are swung to a closed position, said sheetlifter comprising:

(A) a plurality of upright pocket portions, each defining a pocket witha downwardly opening mouth to receive a substantially rigid tongue thatprojects upwardly from the spine;

(B) a pair of elongated plate-like wings, each having an outerlongitudinal edge and an inner longitudinal edge,

said wings having ring receiving openings in the inner longitudinal edgeportions thereof in which the rings of the binder are receivable;

(C) a plurality of arms integral with each of said wings, projectingupwardly from the Wing at its inner edge,

the arms on the two wings being laterally opposite one another and thuspaired, and each arm having a downwardly opening slot therein that opensto an adjacent ring receiving opening in the wing;

(D) rib means integral with each arm and the wing from which itprojects, extending across the junction of the arm and the wing toprevent the arm from being deformed out of an upright position relativeto the wing; and

(E) thin hinge portions integral with the arms connecting each pair ofarms with one another and with one of the pocket portions, so that thewings and the arms integral therewith are movable relative to oneanother and with respect to the pocket portions in compliance withopening and closing movement of the covers of the binder.

6. In a looseleaf binder having a spine on which there are rings forholding a plurality of looseleaf sheets and having covers hingedlyconnected with the spine, a unitary sheet lifter of resiliently flexibleplastic material for preventing binding between the rings and looseleafsheets thereon as the covers are swung to a closed position, said sheetlifter comprising:

(A) a pair of at elongated plate-like wings, each having an outerlongitudinal edge and an inner longitudinal edge,

said plate-like Wings having ring receiving openings in the innerlongitudinal edges thereof in which the rings of the Vbinder arereceivable;

(B) a pair of arms integral with each of said wings, projecting upwardlytherefrom at its inner edge near opposite ends thereof,

the arms on the two wings being laterally opposite one another and thuspaired;

(C) rib means integral with each arm and the wing from which it projectsto stiften the wings and their arms against exure,

said rib means extending across the junction of each arm and its wing toresist displacement of the arm out of an upright position relative tothe wing; and (D) centering means integral with and hingedly connectingeach pair of arms for atwise swinging motion relative to one another,

each centering means being freely engageable with and disengageable froma substantially rigid tongue that projects up from the spine of thebinder, and

each centering means having a downwardly facing wall surface to restupon the top edge `of the tongue engaged by the centering means tolocate the general axis of the hinge connection between the armssubstantially at the center of the binder rings,

the freedom of the centering means to be disengaged from theirrespective tongues enabling the sheet lifter to be removed from thebinder and replaced with another similar sheet lifter Without disturbingthe tongues.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,055,095 9/1936 Lotter 129-43,019,486 2/1962 Stinson.

3,087,498 4/1963 Vogel.

3,111,949 11/1963 Duncan et al.

3,306,301 2/1967 Mason 129--4 3,366,118 1/1968 Beyer 129-4 JEROMESCHNALL, Primary Examiner

